6-year-old shot and killed while with 4 siblings inside van as mom went inside restaurant, investigators say
DETROIT (WXYZ) – Police in Detroit said a 6-year-old girl died after she was shot in her family’s van.
Authorities said the weapon was in the vehicle and not secured.
Charles Fitzegerald with the Detroit Police Department said, “this was preventable.”
“We have safe storage for a reason. Secure your weapons. A 6-year-old girl that will no longer go to school. She can’t grow up to be a Detroit police officer or work for any of the media outlets. It is really really sad but it’s preventable,” he said.
Yellow tape marked the tragedy on Monday.
Detroit police said they were called to the Farmer John Food Center parking lot around noon for reports of a child who had been shot.
Investigators learned that a mother went into a restaurant and left her five children in the van.
One of them got hold of an unsecured firearm, and a 6-year-old girl was fatally shot in the head.
At this time, it is unclear whether the 6-year-old shot herself or whether another child did.
“Unfortunately, this is the third one now we’ve had in the past week and a half and enough is enough,” Fitzegerald said.
Police are urging gun owners to secure their firearms.
“My heart goes out to the mom. This is not an intentional act. No one I’m sure was expecting anything like this but the most important part is gun safety,” said Tamara Smith, Cease Fire Detroit program manager.
Smith was on the scene shortly after the shooting to offer support.
“Gun safety is extremely important so even if you have an unsecured weapon, to know I better go secure it,” she said.
Police are investigating where the weapon was stored and why it was left unattended.
It is unclear whether the mother will face any charges.
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